Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government on Monday said it shelled a Turkish ship off the Libyan coast after it was warned not to approach the eastern city of Derna.
A crew member was killed in what Turkey described as a “contemptible attack”.

Libya is in a state of violent factional chaos with two rival governments backed by various armed groups vying for control of oil-producing North African state including its ports, four years after rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.

The ship was targeted 10 miles from the coast on Sunday after it was told not to break a ban on approaching the eastern city of Derna, Libyan military spokesman Mohamed Hejazi told Reuters.

The forces of Libya’s internationally recognised government said they would hit any ships approaching Derna to stop supplies getting to Islamist militants based.

The Turkish foreign ministry said the vessel was shelled as it approached the nearby Mediterranean port of Tobruk and was attacked from the air as it tried to leave the area.

“We strongly condemn this contemptible attack which targeted a civilian ship in international waters and curse those who carried it out,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said that Ankara had protested to the authorities in Libya over the attack.

The third officer on the Cook Islands-chartered Tuna-1 vessel died and other crew members were wounded in the attacks, according to the Turkish statement.

It did not specify the assailants, but said the vessel was carrying plasterboard from Spain to Tobruk and was 21 km (13 miles) from its destination when it came under fire.